Michael Le Bourgeois, winner of the 'Greene King IPA Championship Player of the Year' (Image: 2018 Getty Images)

He said: "I am absolutely elated to have won this award, and against two other outstanding nominees is truly amazing, it is such an honour."

Nicknamed 'Booj', Le Bourgeois is predominantly a centre but can also play fullback, fly-half and on the wing.

After progressing through the Jersey Academy, Le Bourgeois went on to make more than 100 appearances for his hometown club and was the top point scorer in National League 1 in the 2011/12 campaign as Jersey gained promotion.

He left Jersey as the club's record points scorer (891) when he joined Bedford Blues in 2013.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

The video will start in 8Cancel

Play now

"Mike is an outstanding talent who has truly taken to the Championship like a duck to water," said Bedford director of rugby Mike Rayer in April 2013.

Respected rugby journalist Brendan Gallagher said on Twitter this week: "This guy [Le Bourgeois] would be talked about in England terms if he was playing in the Premiership... you will go a long way to find a better all round centre in the country. Outstanding every time I've watched him play over the last few seasons."

Joe Atkinson (London Scottish)

Joe Atkinson, formerly of London Scottish, has signed for Wasps

London Scottish haven't had a season to remember as they finished second bottom of the Championship.

It was a memorable one on a personal level for 26-year-old Joe Atkinson who passed the 50-appearance mark for the club and also received Players Player of the Year and Coaches Player of the Year.

The openside flanker was praised recently on the club's website for his 'tireless work rate around the field, his big carries and his total abandon for his body in defence'.

Read More

Ross Neal (London Scottish)

Neal stands out as an inside centre at a towering 6ft 5ins tall and in a struggling London Scottish team he's enjoyed a strong season.

A return of eight tries from 22 games is a decent return for a club that finished second bottom of the table.

London Irish and Esher are listing among Neal's former clubs.

Upon signing Neal in May after a brief loan period from the Exiles, London Scottish director of rugby Dave Morris said in May 2017: "He is big and athletic with very good distribution skills. He is very versatile being able to play in the centre and on the wing.

Billy Searle (Bristol)

The fly-half's departure from Bristol was confirmed way back in January with the Bristol Post confirming his next destination was Wasps just a few weeks later.

Irish international Ian Madigan arrived at Ashton last summer leaving Seale and Callum Sheedy to battle it out for back-up duties, with the latter agreeing a new contract - as Searle awaited his summer move as Bristol went on to win the Championship.

Searle was named as one of six young players to watch out for in January 2017, a list that included Wasps flanker Thomas Young.

The 22-year-old, who was described in the article as a 'modern outside-half', turned down a 'very good contract offer' according to Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam, back in January.

Read More

More Wasps stories

Having progressed though the club's academy, Searle made 35 appearances for Bristol in both the Championship and the Premiership, including against Wasps in April 2017 when a 21-36 defeat confirmed Bristol's relegation.

Searle's career sky-rocketed in 2015, when aged 19 he helped inspire Cornwall to the County Championship at Twickenham.

This earned him a move from Launceston to Plymouth Albion before making the move to Bristol ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.